National Republican., 1887-02-18
OUR NATIONAL GUARDS.
Their Uses and Their worth-The Ma
tional Reunion at Washington.

IDhkotuNdThuu rOTkhD heThlu, feD. IL.
Every state in this Union is proud OF and
fosters Its national guards or militia. The
wise statesmen Of the country foresee that
at some time, we know not when, these
may be the saviors Of the nation. The
nature OF republican form of government
is repugnant to large standing army, for
the reason that In the hands Of q modern
Alcihlades or Cesar II might be used to
overturn the liberties Of the people Of the
several states. The founders of this gov
ernment had studied we'll the historyof
past republics when they determined that
the national army should always be kept at
O minimum, so that while not O source of
great expense and danger, IL might still
serve as nucleus around which the great
reserve power Of the country might rally 10
time OF need. In this respect our republic
Is In splendid contrast with the effete
monarchies OF Europe, which can only
be held together by trampling one.haif
Of the people In ablect slavery to
maintain the other half in meuacing
arms. But while we have no need OF a
large standing army at any time, the
statesmen of the several constituents of
the Union have always recognized the ne
cessity for well regulated and trained
militia. And this idea the national gov
ciuueub nus Wlbtiy lObJeTeu, ny furnishing
arms and equipments to the states, aud
introducing everywhere uniformity of
tactics and a sameness OF discipline, with
a view to call upon the states when the
nation needs defenders. In harmony with
this idea, Congress has Just appropriated
100000 for the use Of the National Guards,
and each OF the states annually appropri.
ates from $4,000 to 100000 for the main
tenance Of its militia. For example, Penn
epl mi hriN Il,
about 10000 well disciplined men, appro.
pirates Tor armory rent, per diem at annual
encampments or regimental drills, from
100000 to 5000, 900 Other states OF equal
wealth and Importance take a similar de-
gree Of interest and pride. IL must
be understood that under the. national
guard system there is noholday or dress
parade soldiery. tits system Of discipline as
as rigid ever imposed by the great Prussian
drillmaster, Frederick. The guards OF the
states are not only uniformed and drilled,
but they are fully equipped, down to the
canteen and twenty rounds of cartridges, SO
that II q call were issued by the governor of
any state to assemble the militia, in forty
eight hours q small army would be ready
for battle In every state. The men are not
raw and unframed, either, In craftsmanship,
but on the contrary, at their tournaments,
havo developed the highest state of pre-
cision, and can be relied upon every time to
pick their man. The spirit and morals, as
well as the intelligence OF these men are
the highest in the world. Every bayonet
would glitter and every bullet would be
primcd with patriotism. Whether the foe
be from without or within, they can be
relied upon to strike deftly whenever they
may be commanded. In this respect
is often overlooked. People who are
really more patriotic than they appear
to be, sneer at our little army as Of no con-
guards. They forget the history OF our
own war, which proved how soon the
militia became veterans, when the war once
settled down to business. At this very
moment, by the least calculation the ma
tional guards number 10000, as many as
militia Of England does not exceed $4,000
men. The powers of Europe count up
their few millions, but include every man
between 1S and 45 as having been drilled
at school, a necessary thing there. Doubt
less some Of the foreign powers which affect
contempt for us as a nation Of fighters
have not observed the work that has been
going on in every state and territory ever
since the war. To undeceive them, 1t is
when the grand encampment oc.
ours at Washington next May, every
state and territory will send il
national guards there to receive in.
struction In army maneuvers, and, while
obtaining the extraordinary benefits OF such
a school, show the outside world that We
are not altogether mongrel race Of money
getteIs. Such demonstration, even II only
10000 men should be encamped around
the nations capital for a week, would OF
itself serve notice to the old world that our
shores cannot be invaded with impunity
| 1t is related that at the Inauguration oi
| President Cleveland, when the national
| guards filed down Pennsylvania avenue In
campaign outfit, and were reviewed by old
| soldiers Of the late war, IL caused them tc
| overflow with enthusiasm. The scene was
one never equaled since the final grand
| review at the close OF the war. And We,
there was not more than one third Of the
national guard in that pageant. The com
| ing event will overshadow all the military
| past In It's Importance. No state or terri
tory should be so unpatriotic, 80 selfish and
impecunious as not to be represented there
| 1t may be that we are not destined to have
any war very soon. We all trust not
Yet 1t has been written sin time OF peac,
come, our strength, our reliance, Il
| our national guards. They are the adopted
defenders Of the state and will become, fol
the greater reason, the defenders of tn,
nation, because the liberty of the state II
| interlocked with and dependent upon th,
national liberty and honor. We can no
believe that Dakota will fail to answer a
the grand roll call, but rather will we trus
that she will show those older brothers tina
We are no longer to be considered contin
gents like the slaves Of Athens at Marathon
or Myrmidons like the uncouth attendants
| Of Achilles in the Troad. Every regiment
every company should be manned ant
drilled to the full requirement, and tn
when 1t comes to pass upon the question
whether the place Of Dakota, In the van
where she belongs and dares to be, shall b.
vacant, In that martial review which viii
become memorable and the fear as we'll a
respect Of the world.